Coprosma plant named ‘NGCOP8’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Coprosma plant named ‘NGCOP8’ that is characterized by a compact habit, glossy leaves, young upper side leaves that are red in color with speckles of yellow-green, mature upper side leaves that are grey-green in color and resistance to leaf scorch.

Botanical classification: Coprosma repens.

Variety denomination: ‘NGCOP8’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Coprosma plant botanically known as Coprosma repens and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘NGCOP8’.

The new cultivar was discovered by the inventor in a cultivated area of Cambridge, New Zealand in 2012. ‘NGCOP8’ was discovered as a naturally occurring branch mutation of Coprosma ‘Pina Colada’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,032).

Asexual reproduction by tip cuttings of the new cultivar ‘NGCOP8’ was first performed in 2013 in Cambridge, New Zealand. Since that time, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Coprosma cultivar ‘NGCOP8’.

-   1. Coprosma ‘NGCOP8’ exhibits a compact habit. -   2. Coprosma ‘NGCOP8’ exhibits glossy leaves. -   3. Coprosma ‘NGCOP8’ exhibits young upper side leaves that are red     in color with speckles of yellow-green. -   4. Coprosma ‘NGCOP8’ exhibits mature upper side leaves that are     grey-green in color. -   5. Coprosma ‘NGCOP8’ exhibits resistance to leaf scorch.

The closest comparison cultivars are Coprosma ‘Tequila Sunrise’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,392) and the parent plant Coprosma ‘Pina Colada’. The new cultivar ‘NGCOP8’ is distinguishable from ‘Tequila Sunrise’ by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘NGCOP8’ has young upper side leaves that are red in color         with speckles of yellow-green. In comparison, the young upper         side leaves of ‘Tequila Sunrise’ have green centers surrounded         by yellow areas with orange margins.     -   2. ‘NGCOP8’ has mature upper side leaves that are grey-green in         color. In comparison, the mature upper side leaves of ‘Tequila         Sunrise’ have green centers surrounded by red areas with red         margins.

The new cultivar ‘NGCOP8’ is distinguishable from the parent plant ‘Pina Colada’ by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘NGCOP8’ has young upper side leaves that are red in color         with speckles of yellow-green. In comparison, the young upper         side leaves of ‘Pina Colada’ are orange-yellow.     -   2. ‘NGCOP8’ exhibits resistance to leaf scorch. In comparison,         the leaves of ‘Pina Colada’ are more susceptible to leaf scorch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits of Coprosma ‘NGCOP8’. The plant in the photograph shows an overall view of a 12 month old plant.

The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Coprosma cultivar named ‘NGCOP8’. Data was collected in Grand Haven, Mich. from 12 month old greenhouse grown plants in one gallon containers. The plants were grown under natural light. The time of year was Summer and the average temperature range was 18 to 27 degrees Centigrade during the day and 5 to 10 degrees Centigrade at night. No photoperiodic treatments or growth retardants were used. Color determinations are in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similar to the species. ‘NGCOP8’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   Botanical classification: Coprosma repens ‘NGCOP8’. -   Use: Ornamental perennial. -   Parentage: ‘NGCOP8’ is a naturally occurring branch mutation of     Coprosma ‘Pina Colada’. -   Vigor: Moderate. -   Growth rate: Moderate. -   Growth habit: Freely branching, dense, bushy habit. -   Plant shape: Rounded, mounding. -   Suitable container size: One gallon container. -   Height: Average 14 cm. in height. -   Width: Average 24 cm. in width. -   Low temperature tolerance: −1 degrees Centigrade. -   High temperature tolerance: 39 degrees Centigrade. -   Propagation: Tip cuttings. -   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 30 days in the Summer at 22     degrees Centigrade and 35 days in the Winter at 22 degrees     Centigrade. -   Time to produce a rooted cutting: Approximately 112 days in the     Summer at 25 degrees Centigrade and 140 days in the Winter at 25     degrees Centigrade. -   Crop time: Approximately 12 months. -   Root system: Fibrous, densely matted. -   Root color: 165D. -   Lateral branches:     -   -   Branching habit.—Freely branching.         -   Basal branching.—Yes.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 6.         -   Dimensions.—12.0 cm. in length and 3.0 mm. in diameter.         -   Internode length.—10.0 mm.         -   Stem color.—143D with tinges of 39A.         -   Stem shape.—Round in cross-section.         -   Stem pubescence.—Absent.         -   Stem aspect.—45 degrees from vertical.         -   Stem strength.—Strong.         -   Pinching.—Yes. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Compound or single.—Single.         -   Leaf shape.—Ovate.         -   Leaf apex.—Rounded.         -   Leaf base.—Cuneate.         -   Leaf length.—Average 2.0 cm. in length.         -   Leaf width.—Average 1.5 cm. in width.         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth, waxy both surfaces.         -   Leaf luster.—Glossy both surfaces.         -   Leaf pubescence.—Absent.         -   Leaf margin.—Entire, unevenly recurved, slightly wavy.         -   Vein pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—46A, speckled with 150A.         -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—164B.         -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—189A.         -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—199C.         -   Vein color (upper surface).—Same as leaf color.         -   Vein color (lower surface).—Same as leaf color.         -   Durability of foliage to stress.—Moderate to high.         -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate. -   Petiole:     -   -   Petiole dimensions.—5.0 mm. in length and 1.5 mm. in             diameter.         -   Petiole texture.—Smooth.         -   Petiole pubescence.—Absent.         -   Petiole color.—179B. -   Flowers: Coprosma ‘NGCOP8’ has not produced flowers to date. -   Disease and insect resistance: Plants of the new Coprosma have not     been observed for disease or insect resistance. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Coprosma plant named ‘NGCOP8’ as described and illustrated. 